Second row Sam Williams handed first professional contract
Ospreys Rugby are delighted to announce that second row Sam Williams has signed his first professional contract with the region.
The 23-year old has been rewarded for his consistent performances in the Premiership with Aberavon in recent seasons, after spending the last four years contracted on development status.
6ft 5 Williams represented the Eyasses at U16 and U18 level but wasn’t offered a contract at that stage, instead playing for Bridgend Ravens as a teenager, catching the eye despite the Ravens relegation from the Premiership.
Handed a development contract at the age of 19 on the back of his performances that season, Williams then moved to Aberavon and has been a regular fixture in the second row for the Wizards ever since, captaining them throughout 2012/13.
He has made four LV= Cup appearances for the Ospreys since his debut in a win over the Dragons at the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field in January 2012.
After earning himself his professional contract, Williams said he was pleased to have been rewarded for his hard work.
“I’ve been here for four years now as a development player so it feels good to get this recognition and sign my first pro contract” he said.
“It’s been a long road, I’ve been a part of the set-up for what seems like a long time and seen other players stepping up so I’m pleased to eventually earn the contract I’ve been working for.
“I’ve kept my head down and worked hard in training and with Aberavon and I’m really pleased that I’ve been rewarded. You’ve always got targets, ones you set for yourself and ones that the coaches give you. You always try to improve as a player. I’m still relatively young in terms of rugby so if I can keep improving over the duration of this contract hopefully I’ll get to play more rugby here at the Ospreys.”
Rugby Operations Manager, Andy Lloyd, commented:
“Sam is someone who has been in and around our environment for a few years now as part of the B group of players and is being rewarded for his hard work. He is a good character who has been impressive for Aberavon in the Premiership over a number of years, captaining them last season.
“He has a good attitude, remaining positive and working hard, he has really matured over the last 18 months and it is all credit to him that he has earned a professional contract. He did a decent job for us in the LV= Cup last season, starting three out of our four games and giving us an idea of what he is capable of at this level. He’s a good rugby player with a good understanding of the game and he’s pretty athletic, which is a good combination for a second row. We see him playing a decent amount of rugby for us this year and providing real competition to some of the more established players we have in that position.
“This is another example of a local youngster who we have tracked in club rugby and rewarded for their efforts in the Premiership, showing that the development pathway through to the Ospreys is working well, allowing players who show the promise to represent their region, regardless of how and when they come through.”